Tickets are $40, $25 & $15 per concert and can be purchased by visiting the Luhrs Center Box Office, calling 717.477.SHOW (7469) Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., or by going online at www.luhrscenter.com. Discounted tickets to the entire series can be purchased for $115, $70 and $40 by contacting the Luhrs Center Box Office.

Concert I on July 8 will feature guest conductor David Amado, musical director of the Delaware Symphony and violinist Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg. The program will feature works by Samuel Barber, Concerto for Violin, Op. 14; Mozart, Symphony No. 41 in C Major K. 551 (Jupiter); and Mendelssohn, The Hebrides Overture (Fingal's Cave), Op. 26.

David Amado is one of the most watched and sought-after young American conductors. He has been praised by the press, audiences and fellow musicians for his performances which combine deep musical insight and visceral energy. Maestro Amado studied piano at Julliard with Herbert Stessin, at which time he explored the world of the orchestra. This fascination with the orchestra led him to Indiana University, where he received his Master's in Instrumental Conducting. Maestro Amado's innovative programming, his approachable demeanor and his natural and instinctive music-making provide a formidable musical presence.

Concert II on July 15 will again feature guest conductor David Amado, along with pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet. The program will include Maurice Ravel's Ma Mére L'oye (Mother Goose Suite); George Gershwin's Concerto in F for Piano and Orchestra; and Modest Mussorgsky's Tableaux d'une Exposition (Pictures at an Exhibition).

Philadelphia native, David Amado returns as guest conductor for Concert II of this series. Joining Maestro Amado is pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet, hailed as one of the best pianists in the world. Thibaudet, with his profound and poetic artistry, enlightened interpretations and thrilling performances, continues to enthrall audiences worldwide. Born in France, Thibaudet entered the Paris Conservatory at a young age to

study with Aldo Ciccolini and Lucette Descaves, a friend and collaborator of Ravel. Thibaudet is now sought-after by today's foremost orchestras, festivals, conductors and collaborative musicians for his virtuosity and charisma.

Concert III on July 22 will feature conductor Dr. Blaine Shover, with soprano Elisabeth Turchi and the Festival Chorus. The program will include Jean Sibelius's Finlandia; Jonathan Willcocks' Magnificat; and several pieces by Ralph Vaughan Williams.

Soprano Elisabeth Turchi's charisma and agile vocal styling have charmed audiences abroad and in the United States. Acclaimed as possessing a voice that is nimble, attractive, and powerful, Ms. Turchi has established herself as a versatile interpreter of classical music. Ms. Turchi is an alumna of The International Institute of Vocal Arts, The International Lyric Academy of Rome, and the Ezio Pinza Council of American Singers of Opera. She holds degrees in vocal performance from Carnegie Mellon University and Shenandoah University.

For tickets and information, call the Luhrs Center Box Office at 717.477.SHOW (7469) or visit the Luhrs Center website at www.luhrscenter.com. Group discounts for 20 or more are available by calling the Luhrs Center box office.

About the Festival Chamber Orchestra

The Festival Chamber Orchestra is a select ensemble of professional musicians from south central Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia, and Virginia. Now in its 40th year, the orchestra was formed to stimulate interest in chamber orchestra music and to provide regional audiences with top-quality professional performances of the repertoire. For the first 15 years of its existence, the orchestra was directed by its founder, Dr. Miles Cowdrey, who was a professor of music at Shippensburg University. Dr. Erik Shear was artistic administrator in 1985. Since 1986, the Festival has been under the artistic direction of Dr. Blaine Shover.

About the Festival Chamber Chorus

The Festival Chamber Chorus was formed in 1985 by Dr. Blaine Shover to perform as part of the Festival Celebration Series held each year at Shippensburg University. The chorus is comprised of professional singers, many of whom have established noted careers as soloists. Although the majority of members come from Pennsylvania, some travel from as far as Illinois, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Maryland, and Virginia. In addition to their association with the Festival chorus, they have appeared with the Bach Choir, Bethlehem, PA; the Paul Hill Chorale, Washington, D.C.; the United States Army Chorus, Fort Meyers, VA; the Handel-Haydn Society, Boston, MA; and the Westminster Choir, Princeton, NJ. As soloists, members have been heard with the Washington Opera, the Oratorio Society of Washington, D.C., the Spoleto Festival, the Harrisburg Civic Opera, and the Maryland Symphony.

About the H. Ric Luhrs Performing Arts Center at Shippensburg University

The mission of the H. Ric Luhrs Performing Arts Center at Shippensburg University is to support and enhance the University's role in academic and cultural enrichment for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The Luhrs Center's 1,500-seat state-of-the-art Grove Theatre is where programs to educate, enlighten and entertain are presented. Benefits of the Center to the region include expanding opportunities to participate in a wide range of cultural programming including full-scale Broadway companies, musical groups, symphonies, dance troupes and internationally known speakers. In addition, it adds options for professional training programs, youth programs and senior citizen programs; attracts regional and national business conferences, professional meetings and planning sessions; and additional visitors to the area which will result in a positive impact on the local and regional economy.